Sentences in the Subjunctive Mood

Question

I have been learning more about the subjunctive for a while it has given me little trouble. But I have a little better understanding. If anyone can please give me any corrections to make sure I'm on the right track. Thanks

1. Recomiendo que tú leas el libro.
2. Espero que usted vaya al museo.
3. Las senoritas prefieren que los chicos tengan autos nuevos.
4. Dudo que la carrera empiece mañana.
5. Es claro que ella esté en amor.
6. Ella no llamará antes de él lleguen.
7. Abriremos el champán cuando los invitados lleguen.

Answer 1

Yes. It is the best rule I've seen after literally studying dozens of books entirely dedicated to the subjunctive, including 500 pages technical ones and others more practical designed for foreign students. The rule is simple, effective and more importantly: logical; no blind memorization is required, and comparisons can be done in English!

However, you need to learn what exactly is a declaration as used in this rule, and unfortunately, most web pages and books still follow the old list of cooking recipes that everyone follows, and give foreigners so many headaches. Try finding something in goggle, or if you want, I can recommend you some excellent books where this is explained perfectly (no English, though, except for some scattered articles from Bull and others.).

Alternatively, start a thread, and I'll do my best to answer individual questions.

Answer 2

If you want my opinion, that rule about "doubts and uncertainties" is somewhat useless. No wonder you find it hard. You can express doubts and uncertainties in many ways, with or without subjunctive. It is a very poor generalization:

Creo que van a venir mañana (I am not sure. Isn't this an uncertainty or a doubt')
Dudo si van a venir (another doubt)
No saben que esa regla del subjuntivo es una mierda (Isn't that a doubt')
Supongo que vendrán mañana (a supposition about something which is completely uncertain)

Answer 3

1. Recomiendo que tú leas el libro. (better: Te recomiendo que leas el libro)
2. Espero que usted vaya al museo. (don't say usted unless there is a good reason)
3. Las senoritas prefieren que los chicos tengan autos nuevos.
4. Dudo que la carrera empiece mañana.
5. Está claro que ella esté está en amor.
6. Ella no llamará antes de él ellos lleguen. ("el" or "ellos" is normally omitted)
7. Abriremos el champán cuando los invitados lleguen.

I don't know what rule are you following to use the subjunctive, but the simplest and most effective single rule for all cases is that you use subjunctive in subordinate clauses when you don't declare things. If something is clear (i.e. "Está claro que...") you have no option but to declare what follows, so indicative is compulsory.

Answer 4

Your subjunctive looks good. A couple of comments:

Es claro que ella esté en amor. - I'm not sure you would use subjunctive here. "In love" is "enamorada".

Ella no llamará antes de que él llegue.

Answer 5

O.k. thanks alots lazarus.

Answer 6

O.k. so when do you use this thing. I've read that its used in spanish alot. but I don't hear alot of it. You said when "you don't declare things".'

Answer 7

I was reading the explanations given on another site " studyspanish.com Basically it was saying to use the subjunctive when expressing any kind of doubts or uncertainties. I have to remember not to use the personal pronouns unless necessary. I realize now that No. 5 shows certainty, something factual.

Answer 8

6*. Ella no llamará antes de QUE ellos lleguen.*

Se le ha escapadao a lazarus.